Well Ordinance Update
On this page:
- Documents in PDF Format
- Technical and Policy Working Groups
- Meetings
- Past Meetings and Documents
- Frequently Asked Questions
In April 2023, the Board of Supervisors approved amendments to the County's Well Ordinance brought forward by Permit Sonoma. Updated regulations went into effect on May 18, 2023.
The amendments create a new regulatory process that considers potential adverse impacts on public trust resources, such as habitat for Coho salmon, when approving well permits. The amended ordinance also includes requirements for water conservation measures for all new wells and requirements for well meter installation and water use reporting of new non-residential wells. Additional technical changes to inspection noticing, emergency wells, and review of well permits near contaminated sites were also approved.
Primary Ordinance Changes and Additions:
- Sec 25B-13 – Water Conservation Requirements for all new water wells.
- Sec 25B-12 – Metering and Monitoring Requirements, excluding low water use residential wells.
- Sec 25b-4(d) and (e) – Discretionary Public Trust Review for certain water wells within the Public Trust Review Area. At-cost deposit for discretionary review of $5,568.
- Sec 25b-5(d) – Emergency wells must submit a permit application and receive a well permit prior to drilling. Emergency wells will receive expedited review upon request.
- Sec 25b-6(h) – Replacement wells require the destruction of the old well within 180 days of installation of the new well.
- Sec 25b-5(f)(4) – Inspection lead time. It is required to provide Permit Sonoma notice the day prior to well seal installation.
- Sec 25b-6(g) – Wells within setbacks of Contaminated Sites. No referral or approval by the Water Board. Permit Sonoma should review and approve hydrogeologic reports prepared by a registered geologist or hydrogeologist.
Well Amendment Process:
On October 4, 2022, the Board of Supervisors adopted a temporary moratorium on well permits. It directed Permit Sonoma to convene a working group to discuss policy options for consideration of impacts on public trust resources. Two groups were formed and provided a joint recommendations report to Permit Sonoma in March 2023. These recommendations were considered, and an amended well ordinance was brought to the Board of Supervisors and approved on April 4, 2023. A second hearing was held, and final approval was granted on April 18, 2023.
- April 4, 2023 – Board of Supervisors Hearing
- April 18, 2023 – Board of Supervisors Hearing
- Well Ordinance Update – Online Viewer
Documents from April 18, 2023 in PDF format:
- Well Ordinance Summary
- PowerPoint Presentation
- Public Comments - April 5-17, 2023
- Public Comments - April 4, 2023
- Public Comments - March 3 - April 3, 2023
- Public Comments - October 5, 2022 - March 22, 2023
- Attachment A - Board Resolution
- Attachment B - Ordinance without Exhibit A
- Attachment C - Exhibit A to Ordinance Stricken
- Attachment D - Ordinance with Exhibit A Clean
- Attachment E - Urgency Ordinance Extending Temporary Moratorium
- Attachment G - Director Working Group Final Report
- Attachment H - Public Trust Review Area Delineation Report
- Attachment I - List of Technical References
Technical and Policy Working Groups
Prior to the Board of Supervisors' approval, Technical and Policy Working Groups were convened by Permit Sonoma. The Working Groups were tasked with making well-reasoned policy recommendations and met regularly from November 2022 to March 2023.
Policy Working Group
The Policy Working Group considered policy options and made recommendations representing diverse stakeholder interests of Sonoma County:
Name |
Groups Represented |
Mike Martini, Co-Chair |
Ag and Development Interests |
Rue Furch, Co-Chair |
Sonoma County Water Coalition |
Brock Dolman |
Occidental Arts and Ecology Center |
Monty Schmitt |
Nature Conservancy |
Charlie Schneider |
CalTrout |
Ben Campanile |
Well Driller |
Sandi Potter |
Petaluma Groundwater Sustainability Agency Administrator |
Mike Sangiacomo |
Vineyard Manager |
Rob Cantu |
North Coast Builders Exchange |
Carol Lexa |
North Bay Association of Realtors |
Dayna Ghirardelli |
Sonoma County Farm Bureau |
Carolyn Wasem |
North Bay Water District |
Technical Working Group
The Technical Working Group developed and assessed policy recommendations using scientifically accepted theories, methods, and practices:
Name |
Groups Represented |
Jay Jasperse |
Water Resources Consultant Retired - Sonoma County Water Agency |
Sam Boland-Brien |
California State Water Resources Control Board |
Jessica Maxfield |
California Department of Fish and Wildlife |
Rick Rogers |
National Marine Fisheries Service |
Andy Casarez |
Office of the Sonoma County Agricultural Commissioner |
Marcus Trotta |
Sonoma County Groundwater Sustainability Agencies |
Matt Petersen |
Well Driller |
Laurel Marcus |
Agricultural Practices |
Brad Petersen |
Vineyard Manager |
Melissa Rohde |
Environmental Consultant |
Bruce Abelli Amen |
Environmental Consultant |
Ken Johnson |
Environmental and geotechnical Consultant |
Meetings
The Technical Working Group and the Policy Working Group met independently and jointly via Zoom. Links to meeting materials are provided below:
Date | Meeting | Meeting Number and Information |
11/17/22 | Joint Working Groups | |
11/30/22 | Policy Working Group | |
12/01/22 | Technical Working Group |
Meeting 1 |
12/14/22 | Policy Working Group | |
12/15/22 | Technical Working Group | |
01/05/23 | Technical Working Group |
Meeting 3 |
01/11/23 | Policy Working Group | |
01/12/23 | Technical Working Group |
Meeting 4 |
01/25/23 | Policy Working Group | |
02/01/23 | Joint Working Groups | |
02/08/23 | Policy Working Group | |
02/09/23 | Technical Working Group | |
02/22/23 | Policy Working Group | |
02/23/23 | Technical Working Group |
Meeting 6 |
03/02/23 | Joint Working Groups |
Frequently Asked Questions
Revised in July 2023
The County of Sonoma requires property owners to obtain a permit to drill, deepen or abandon groundwater wells. Under the existing well ordinance (Sonoma County Code Chapter 25B), Permit Sonoma must issue permits for well projects that meet county construction requirements for structural integrity and water quality.